The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) tonight honoured 31 outstanding individuals for their contribution the growth and development of the sector. It was the occasion of the 13th Annual FSI Excellence Awards Dinner, and the 31 represented nominees in the categories of “Executive of the Year”, “Mentor of the Year”, “Professional of the Year”, “Achiever of the Year”, and “FSI Student of the Year”.

Each nominee was presented with an award, prior to the announcement – Academy Award Style – of the Recipients for 2013:

• EOTY: John K.F. Delaney QC, Senior Partner, Delaney Partners
• MOTY: Katherine Y. Hamilton, Acting Manager-Training, Commonwealth Bank Limited
• POTY: Sharon Colebrook, TEP, CAMS, Sr. Manager Process Optimization, The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company (Bahamas) Ltd.
• AOTY: Marvin A. Dean, Dip CII, Account Executive, J.S. Johnson & Company Ltd.
• SOTY: Jasmine L. Williams – BBA Banking and Finance (with Spanish)

The Hon. L. Ryan Pinder, Minister of Financial Services, also recognised the 2013 Recipient of the “Minister’s Award”:

• Antoinette Russell, Credit Suisse Trust / Chairman, Association of International Banks & Trust Companies in The Bahamas (AIBT)

In Welcome Remarks to the audience of over 250 industry practitioners and dignitaries, BFSB CEO Aliya Allen commented on the theme of BFSB’s upcoming International Business & Finance Summit (IBFS) – “Survival of the Fittest”. She pointed out that the theme speaks to the accepted view that with all the current challenges facing IFCs there will be those that survive and those that figuratively speaking fall off the map. The quality and calibre of the nominees in the room, she said, make it evident that The Bahamas is well acquitted with the talent necessary to ensure sustainability as a pre-eminent IFC.

BFSB Chairman Prince Rahming also spoke to the depth of talent and spirit of excellence within the sector. “Qualities”, he said, “that are so very valuable in the industry and, indeed, in all walks of life.” Quoting Jerry Moran, he reminded the audience that “perfection has to do with the end product, but excellence has to do with the process.”

Source: Bahamas Financial Services Board.